HAPPY NEW YEAR! January 2021 chitchat

[stillstANNding]

Good morning. Most everything is the same here punctuated with good cooking and short walks and small snowfalls. I go for a ride in the car about once a week - it is very normalizing. The world looks right. We’ve also been watching a lot of PBS - mostly British dramas and mysteries. They help to establish routine and take our minds off worry.

The Governor said they are expanding the vaccine roll out to other first responders (EMS, etc) starting next week. Then over 75 after that and then over 65. Peter is 63. :(. It’s going to be a while.

Peter’s mom thought she was getting the vaccine on Thursday at a doctor’s appointment but we finally convinced her that doctors’ offices do not have the vaccine and not all doctors have had a chance to get it for themselves yet.

My mom, also 95, asked her cardiologist where her shot was as she has complicated heart disease and barely survived the flu 2 years ago. He said they would send a nurse to the house and “ are working that out.” This is what Mom expected but she wants to make sure everyone remembers.

Lily Cat is much better on RXes for her severe osteo-arthritis.

Virginia, I am sorry about your brother and sister in law and am so glad you did not get the virus.

Rose, I thought of you a lot over Christmas. Good that you are able to get a new iMac. Peter has been working out getting an iPad for himself. It involves Apple by mail and then Verizon. It’s maddening trying to get through to Verizon.

Agate, I hope the inspections go well - such a stress. Please let us see your grandson more often.

Linda, I’m glad you got a boost from Rituxan. And walked a mile! Are you reading seed catalogs at night or just John? I love getting those. I need nothing but savor those pages more than if someone dropped off a best seller.

Howie, I didn’t forget you. May the Force be with you.

Everyone else and especially Jeanie: stay well, stay strong, stay safe.

Oh, and Georgia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIp9TwSEgFg

ANN

[Howie]

Rose, I watch mostly horror and sci-fi movies. They were all the kind you wouldn't remember the names of, but they were FREE!

[Virginia]

Ann, sounds like things are rolling along for you and Peter. I hope your Mom and MIL can soon get the vaccine. Sounds as though they are both hip to do it and I don't blame them.

Talked with my brother today. He is feeling better than yesterday and Sunday, but not by a lot. He did eat this morning. He had two boiled eggs and two strips of bacon. He is going to try something else later. He has no appetite but knows he needs to eat. SIL is now able to fix food. She is about back to normal. That takes some running off younger brother. He called earlier today and said he didn't mind doing for them and asked if I needed anything from the store. I confessed I made a short run yesterday.

I wish I would get my new charge card (fraud was committed against old one). I thought I would have it be now. I am getting concerned because I got a letter yesterday saying the card had been sent to me. I need it to order from Amazon. After I finish the book I am reading I only have one unread left in my Kindle. I am 2/3rds through the one I am reading now, so I am anxious to know that I can order another one.

Not doing a lot of cleaning. Washing today, changing my bed and making sure I keep up the baths and kitchen, but I think I will skip the dusting this week. I am bored with it and anyway Agate told me it was alright not to do it every week.

I can't remember if this is an on or off week for Sunshine to get her infusion.

It is cold here and since I can't bundle up and go for a walk, I am loosing my incentive to do much.

Everyone please stay safe. I have seen this disease in my own family now and know what it can cause.

[Virginia]

Ann, I meant to thank you for the video. It did very much remind me of how much my husband enjoyed Ray Charles and especially that song. He was from
Georgia.

[Lazarus]

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Good morning. Most everything is the same here punctuated with good cooking and short walks and small snowfalls. I go for a ride in the car about once a week - it is very normalizing. The world looks right. We’ve also been watching a lot of PBS - mostly British dramas and mysteries. They help to establish routine and take our minds off worry.

The Governor said they are expanding the vaccine roll out to other first responders (EMS, etc) starting next week. Then over 75 after that and then over 65. Peter is 63. :(. It’s going to be a while.

Peter’s mom thought she was getting the vaccine on Thursday at a doctor’s appointment but we finally convinced her that doctors’ offices do not have the vaccine and not all doctors have had a chance to get it for themselves yet.

My mom, also 95, asked her cardiologist where her shot was as she has complicated heart disease and barely survived the flu 2 years ago. He said they would send a nurse to the house and “ are working that out.” This is what Mom expected but she wants to make sure everyone remembers.

Lily Cat is much better on RXes for her severe osteo-arthritis.

Virginia, I am sorry about your brother and sister in law and am so glad you did not get the virus.

Rose, I thought of you a lot over Christmas. Good that you are able to get a new iMac. Peter has been working out getting an iPad for himself. It involves Apple by mail and then Verizon. It’s maddening trying to get through to Verizon.

Agate, I hope the inspections go well - such a stress. Please let us see your grandson more often.

Linda, I’m glad you got a boost from Rituxan. And walked a mile! Are you reading seed catalogs at night or just John? I love getting those. I need nothing but savor those pages more than if someone dropped off a best seller.

Howie, I didn’t forget you. May the Force be with you.

Everyone else and especially Jeanie: stay well, stay strong, stay safe.

Oh, and Georgia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIp9TwSEgFg

ANN

Yes, we are reading seed catalogues. It is very life affirming ! We buy most seeds from Johnny’s.
After walking a mile that other day I have been busy all day each day but my walking has been sloppy so I have not ventured far. Maybe tomorrow!? I did go in the greenhouse yesterday and make cuttings from a succulent that I like. The mother had grown big enough for me to chop into many pieces. I hope they root and do not rot.

[Lazarus]

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((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Linda ~

Your soup sounds similar to a corn chowder. The orange juice must have kicked up the flavor a bit. Good for you walking a mile! I need some motivation to go on my walks again. I'll borrow your inspiration minus the Rituxan, of course.

Howie ~

It's always good to have gas in the tank, just in case you need to go somewhere unexpectedly.

I paid bills today too, thanks to John bringing me stamps. I've never waited this long to have stamps delivered, but I suppose it is a combination of the downsizing of the Post Office and COVID.

What movies are you watching on YouTube?

I hope you enjoyed your day.

agate ~

Yes, there is a major difference in how we, a capitalist country, provide time off for vacation and holidays. Jim often remarked about the 2 weeks of paid leave Brits enjoyed between Christmas and New Year. They had/have many "bank holidays," and they don't have to earn their vacation time over periods of years. He also said that they don't pay property tax. And, everyone has health care. But then, that is socialism, which is shunned by some in the U.S.

I don't know anyone, who gets two weeks off between Christmas and New Year. John's company gives him Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off as paid holidays. To me, that is an extra bonus, because, when I worked outside of our home, I worked Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, unless I took a vacation day.

My Thrilling Day

Today, I ordered my iMac, but it won't arrive until Feb 3-10. I don't understand this. Apple makes gazillions of their products. They aren't formatting it for me, so why does it take a month to be delivered? Delivery is free, and that is the only delivery option. I would be happy to have mine in a week, as my old iMac is persnickety. I'd be willing to pay for shipping to have it in a week or even 2 weeks. But it's free delivery in 4 weeks period.

When I told John that I had discovered that my old iMac is 11 years old, he said, "Well, let's hope your new one lasts 11 years!" Ha! I doubt that, but then I have light bulbs with a 15 year life span, so maybe it will.

No sirens today. Again, I don't know whether that is a good or a bad thing.

John stopped by briefly to check the van tires and put the new tag on the van. He also fixed Jon's folding closet door, which came off of its track. It's still tricky, but he showed me how to close it, so it won't fall off. "If it keeps happening, I'll put up a new door for you."

If I said to him, "John, there is this giant mountain in front of me. Would you mind moving it for me?", he would reply, "No problem. Where do you want it?"

Or, he'd answer, "Well, I don't think I can do that, but I will find someone who can. Don't worry about it."

We talked a little football and baseball. He's told me many times how much he appreciates my knowledge and experience in these sports. I'm sure he's a bit surprised that an old lady would be able to talk with him like his buddies. And I love chatting with him about sports, because I miss those conversations with Jim so much. I know that John also misses chatting with Jim about sports. So, we're filling a gap for each other.

Sending healing, positive energy, prayers and love to all ~ be safe, be well, be strong, and find a bit of joy everyday ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

Rose, I love that idea that you have a friend who would move a mountain for you.
John has a friend like that who is also someone who can fix all our old tractors and cars. He also can help John when there is something heavy to be moved. The other day he replaced a lightbulb for me! Bless him.

[Lazarus]

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Good morning. Most everything is the same here punctuated with good cooking and short walks and small snowfalls. I go for a ride in the car about once a week - it is very normalizing. The world looks right. We’ve also been watching a lot of PBS - mostly British dramas and mysteries. They help to establish routine and take our minds off worry.

The Governor said they are expanding the vaccine roll out to other first responders (EMS, etc) starting next week. Then over 75 after that and then over 65. Peter is 63. :(. It’s going to be a while.

Peter’s mom thought she was getting the vaccine on Thursday at a doctor’s appointment but we finally convinced her that doctors’ offices do not have the vaccine and not all doctors have had a chance to get it for themselves yet.

My mom, also 95, asked her cardiologist where her shot was as she has complicated heart disease and barely survived the flu 2 years ago. He said they would send a nurse to the house and “ are working that out.” This is what Mom expected but she wants to make sure everyone remembers.

Lily Cat is much better on RXes for her severe osteo-arthritis.

Virginia, I am sorry about your brother and sister in law and am so glad you did not get the virus.

Rose, I thought of you a lot over Christmas. Good that you are able to get a new iMac. Peter has been working out getting an iPad for himself. It involves Apple by mail and then Verizon. It’s maddening trying to get through to Verizon.

Agate, I hope the inspections go well - such a stress. Please let us see your grandson more often.

Linda, I’m glad you got a boost from Rituxan. And walked a mile! Are you reading seed catalogs at night or just John? I love getting those. I need nothing but savor those pages more than if someone dropped off a best seller.

Howie, I didn’t forget you. May the Force be with you.

Everyone else and especially Jeanie: stay well, stay strong, stay safe.

Oh, and Georgia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIp9TwSEgFg

ANN

Ann,
Thank you so much for the information about the vaccine distribution. John’s team of cardiologists’s are at Deaconess (sp) in Boston. He is 84 now. So I read him what you wrote and suggested we call his main cardiologist. I have been wondering how any of us are going to be able to be in lines that stretch for hours. When CVS was giving COVID tests people made appointments but there were still loooong lines.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

ANN ~

Thank you for your thoughts and positive energy for me over the holidays. They were emotionally strenuous, painful, lonely, and all that I anticipated. I worked through it and came out the other side, thanks to the love and prayers of my friends and loved ones. Thank you all for that gift.

Both of your moms should get a home health care professional to give them the vaccine. Common sense tells us that people in their 90s are not likely to be able to get transportation to a vaccination site, and they will need someone to accompany them. Plus, exposure!

The roll out, as it's called in the media, of the vaccine is just atrocious. Who is in charge of this? Why is it up to local authorities to mete out the vaccine? There should be guidelines in place.

When I turned on the local news this morning, I learned that EMTs and paramedics are being told that if the patient doesn't have a good chance of survival to leave them where they are. So, EMTs and paramedics, who are wonderful, I know, but they aren't trained physicians, nurses, etc., are now making the decision of who lives and who dies at the scene of their pick up. I just think of the gravity of that decision for them, because I remember how diligently they worked to save Jonathan, and how hurt they all were that they couldn't.

This is how dire it is here now. And no, I hear no sirens. What does that tell me?

So, I'm not just afraid of getting COVID, I'm afraid that I might have some other medical emergency, and I'll be left, because of my age, and there is no room or available medical staff at any hospital to take care of me.

This is my COVID reality. Happy New Year, eh?

On that note ... I am happy that Lily-Cat is responding well to her meds. I know this a relief for you and Peter, as well as Lily-Cat.

I'm praying for you and Peter, and your moms to remain safe and get your vaccines safely.

Linda ~

I'm glad that you and John have a John in your life. Someone to lean on, someone, who you can depend upon to be there for you, no matter what your need is. As the saying goes, "Every cloud has a silver lining." And in our lives, our friends and loved ones are the silver lining.

Howie ~

I'm glad that you have a selection of movies, which meet your needs, on You Tube. Long ago and far away, I remember seeing "The Blob" with Steve McQueen. I also recall "The Body Snatchers." Jonathan enjoyed all of the Guardians of the Galaxy type movies, so I've seen them quite a few times. I'm just really happy for you that you have access to movies you enjoy.

Prayers, hugs, love, and positive, healing energy to all ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[Virginia]

Sam hides her head under the covers and closes her eyes when Howie watches some of these movies.

[Howie]

Some? She hides her eyes on any movie I watch!